My Three Generations quilt top is finally done and off to the long-arm quilter. What a relief!

My goal with this quilt was to create something that was both vintage and modern at the same time. I wanted it to look as though it owed something to every time period during which it was worked on. Basically, I wanted to span the last 50 years of quilting in this one single piece, and maybe use that to tell a story about the three women who worked on it. Lofty goals, and I’m not sure if I accomplished my mission, but you know? I love it just the same. Couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. It’s not exactly my usual style, but it’s not exactly not my usual style either, if that makes any sense. Plus, it’s colorful and fun and pretty and sentimental and will be a genuine family heirloom someday.

And it’s clear that all of my stops and starts and pauses to regroup and redesign were entirely worth it. So I guess working on this quilt has been a lesson in trusting my gut. When my gut says I need to change something, usually my brain screams, “No way! Keep going! Just finish the freaking thing!” (Sometimes I think my gut is a better quilter than my brain. My brain always just wants to hurry up and finish, so I can move on to the next project that it’s cooking up.) But this quilt shows that I’ll be happier in the long run if I put in the extra hours, effort, and thought to make it right. Brain and gut need to work together for optimal results. : )

The quilt store is estimating that the long-arm quilter will be finished with it around Oct. 19. I need it no later than Oct. 21 to be able to give it to my grandma when I see her in person. So there is a glimmer of hope that it will be completely done, when I wanted it to be! I’m prepared for disappointment, but encouraged nonetheless. I’ll post full details on this quilt (fabric, etc.) when I get it back from the quilter.

P.S. Check out my blog’s snazzy new look! I figured it was time to settle in and hang some pictures on the wall in this bloggy home of mine.

Um, yeah, I'm kind of in denial about that whole binding thing. : ) I've tried machine binding and I just can't seem to do it with any degree of neatness (certainly not neatly enough for an important project like this). I figure if I have to "give" it to her unbound, then take it back, finish the binding and ship it to her, I can. Not ideal, but better than shipping it to her sight unseen.

Thanks Angela! This career does have its perks. 🙂 Thank goodness, since a high salary is not one of them.